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North Carolina Gold Panning Sites

The best places to pan for gold in North Carolina are the streams flowing through former gold-producing districts. Gold is most likely to be found where streams begin to widen or change in velocity, such as along the insides of bends or in slow-water areas below rapids. There are plenty of gold planning sites in North Carolina that provide you with equipment for a small daily fee.

Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine
- The Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine is located at Vein Mountain, Marion. A full day of gold panning or sluicing in the Second Broad River costs only $5 as of February 2011, and you get to keep anything you find. Buckets of ore are also available for gold panning in the covered panning area where experienced prospectors can show you how to screen and pan for gold. The Miner's Diner sells burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, tea and coffee. A 51-site family-oriented campground is open year-round.
Cotton Patch Gold Mine
- Cotton Patch Gold Mine is located in New London. It is in close proximity to the Reed Gold Mine where a 17-pound gold nugget was discovered in 1799, sparking gold fever. The campground is open seven days a week, but prospecting is during scheduled hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday or on other days by appointment only. Pan for gold in one of the panning troughs where the pan and the dirt are supplied, rent a gold magic spiral wheel, or sluice in the creek. A general store sells snacks, gifts and ice.
Thermal City Gold Mine
- Thermal City Gold Mine offers gold panning and gem fluming at Union Mills, halfway between Rutherford and Marion. The 2011 season is from March 1 to November 15, 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Gold panning prices are $5 per person per day as at early 2011. Riverside camping sites are available with full hookup and there are four cabins available for rent. Mining equipment such as sluice boxes, pumps and prospecting books are sold at Thermal City.
Vein Mountain Gold Camp
- Carolina Emerald Mine and View Mountain Gold Camp at Marion is open seven days a week throughout the year. The 30-acre property offers dredging, panning, and hand sluicing on over a mile of the historic Second Broad River and 1,000 feet of Baker Creek. You can keep all the gold and gem stones that you find. Gold panning lessons are free and there is a roofed-in panning area and water flume. Riverside camping sites are available.

Gemology